Kid-friendly Activities in DC, Maryland & Northern Virginia this Weekend (1/17 - 1/19) + MLK Day

It's MLK Weekend! This past weekend we attended Arena Stage's Performing Arts Summer Camp Fair, which was the perfect way for us to kick off summer camp hunting season. Performing Arts camps from around the DMV set up shop at Arena Stage in SW DC to showcase their offerings for the summer months. Liv attended two workshops: Disney Medley, a choreography-based class from Camp Arena Stage that she loved and a summer camp sneak peek with Studio Acting Conservatory (photoed above). The sneak peek was a bit out-of-the-norm for her since it was acting-based and also designed for ages 12-17. It was really cool to see and she enjoyed acting out a sea monster while her group mates were shipwrecked in an imaginary boat. I've taken a stab at crafting the first of probably 500 iterations of this year's summer camp line-up! Take a peek at the bottom of this article and stay tuned for more summer camps on the way. I'll update that blog through June 2025 so make sure to bookmark it. Now on to events happening this weekend...

Sarah Acors
Creator of 4DMV Kids & Founder of BCB DMV+
Events

Friday, January 17, 2025
Washington, DC
- [Just Added] 4:00 pm | SNOWGLOW:::Family Show at Hi-Lawn Union Market in NE ($)
- 4:00 pm | Games and Activities at Bellevue Neighborhood Library in SW (Best for ages 5+)
- 5:00 pm | Brentwood Young Poets at Brentwood Recreation Center
- 6:00 pm | Skate Party at Fort Stanton Recreation Center
- 7:00 pm | Elisa Harkins: Wampum / ᎠᏕᎳ ᏗᎦᎫᏗ at Katzen Arts Center at American University
- Exuberant, electropop performance animated with Native languages and fashion.
- 7:00 pm | Grey Skies Blue at The Kennedy Center ($) (Best for ages 9+)
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- 3:00 pm | Tail Waggin’ Tutors at Beltsville Library
- Build your child’s confidence as they read to specially trained therapy dogs.
- 3:00 pm | STEM-tastic: Straw Structures at Mount Rainier Library (Best for ages 8-12)
- 6:00 pm | Sugar Scrub and Lotion Making Workshop at FSC Workshop in District Heights ($)
- 6:30 pm | Nature Quest Art Contest Exhibit Opening Reception at Harmony Hall Arts Center
- 7:00 pm | The Black & White Party at Langley Park Community Center (Best for ages 10-17)
- Step onto the red carpet, show off your best attire, and enjoy a night full of dancing, refreshments, and unforgettable fun with other teens.
Montgomery County
- 10:30 am | Beale Street Puppets: Snowflakes at Glen Echo Park ($)
- 3:30 pm | Winter Afternoon Games, Puzzles & Crafts! at Connie Morella Library in Bethesda
- 4:00 pm | Anime Club at Aspen Hill Library (Best for grades 9-12)
- 4:30 pm | Teen Game Night at Gaithersburg Library
More Maryland Events
- 1:00 pm & 2:00 pm | Bluey Escape Room at Deale Library
- Come and escape the winter blues with Bluey and friends. All ages are welcome to join us for this sweet escape. There will be various puzzles, activities and mind games to challenge both kids and adults.
- 3:00 pm | Mario Kart Tournament at Savage Branch Library in Laurel
- 4:30 pm | Our Government at Savage Branch Library in Laurel (Best for ages 5-10)
- Learn about the three branches of our federal government and share ideas about what you would do if you were President. Then design your own presidential button!
Virginia
Arlington County
- 4:00 pm | Nature Myths Campfire at Gulf Branch Nature Center ($)
- Includes stories, special animal guests, games, songs and of course, S’mores!
- 7:00 pm | Teen Friday Night Sports at Lubber Run Community Center
City of Alexandria
- 3:30 pm | Fun Friday at Burke Branch Library (Best for grades K-5)
- Have fun on Fridays after school, building, making, playing word bingo, and winning prizes!
More Virginia Events
- 10:00 am | Meet George Washington at Mount Vernon Estate ($)
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Washington, DC
- 9:00 am | MLK Day of Service 2025
- 9:00 am | Martin Luther King Jr. Day Community Tree Care at Anacostia Park
- 9:30 am | Little Critters: Nature Play (Animal Diets) at Smithsonian National Zoo (Best for ages 0-5)
- 10:15 am | Crafty Tales: Louis Fuertes at Merry Pin in NW
- Free art activity based on an artist/book
- 10:30 am | Open Studio: This is Me at Hirshhorn Museum
- Inspired by artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, explore how artists use self-portraits to explore their identity and define their power using symbols and motifs.
- 12:00 pm | Messages to Dr. King: Plate Art with Rain Young at Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum
- [Just Added] 1:00 pm | Brazil Pre-Carnival for Kids & Families at BloomBars in NW ($)
- 1:30 pm & 4:00 pm | Grey Skies Blue at The Kennedy Center ($) (Best for ages 9+)
- 6:00 pm | Craftivism Party at Merry Pin in NW ($)
- Whether you’re stitching powerful messages, crafting protest signs, or making upcycled art, each project will serve as a statement of defiance and a call for justice.
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- 10:00 am | Teen Vocal Showcase Audition at Prince George’s Publick Playhouse (Best for ages 10 – 18)
- 10:00 am | MLK Art Contest Award Ceremony at Bowie City Hall
- 10:00 am | PBGC Golf Simulator Open House at Paint Branch Golf Complex (The Performance Center)
- 10:30 am | Bibliobop Dance Party at Greenbelt Library
- 10:30 am | Cub Corner: Engineering at College Park Aviation Museum ($) (Best for ages 3-6)
- 11:00 am | Sankofa at Surratt House Museum and Research Center in Clinton
- Family-centered event that explores Black history through story time and crafts.
- 1:00 pm | A Drum Major for Justice: Poetry Tribute to MLK at Arts’tination National Harbor
- 1:00 pm | Tail Waggin’ Tutors at New Carrollton Library
- Build your child’s confidence as they read to specially trained therapy dogs.
- 2:00 pm | Tail Waggin’ Tutors at Bladensburg Library
- Build your child’s confidence as they read to specially trained therapy dogs.
- 2:00 pm | Teen Game Day at Fairmount Heights Library
Montgomery County
- 10:00 am | MLK Cleanup at Long Branch Local Park
- 10:00 am | Campfire 101 at Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton ($) (Best for ages 8+)
- [Just Added] 10:00 am | Story Tapestries for Families at BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown ($)
- 10:00 am | Beginning Miniaturists at Damascus Library (Best for ages 10-12)
- Learn the craft of miniatures by completing a group project. Supplies provided.
- 10:30 am | Read to a Dog at Kensington Park Library
- 10:30 am | Read to a Dog at Potomac Library
- 11:00 am | Superb Saturday STEAM ~ Endothermic Snowpeople at Noyes Library for Young Children in Kensington
- 11:00 am | Read to a Dog at Aspen Hill Library
- 11:00 am | Pokémon Party at Germantown Library (Best for ages 3-12)
- 11:00 am | Read to a Dog at Long Branch Library
- 11:00 am | Lunar New Year Lion Dance at Chevy Chase Library
- 11:30 am & 1:00 pm | Beale Street Puppets: Snowflakes at Glen Echo Park ($)
- 1:00 pm & 4:00 pm | Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood at Imagination Stage in Bethesda ($) (Best for ages 4+)
- Meet the Actors at the 4:00 pm show!
- 2:00 pm | Story Swap: Asian Folktales for the Lunar New Year at Quince Orchard Library in Gaithersburg
- 2:00 pm | Let’s DIY: Winter Craft – DIY Bird Feeders at Germantown Library
- 4:00 pm | STEM at the Library: Take, Make, & Meet at Long Branch Library
More Maryland Events
- 10:00 am | Mousetronaut’s Space Adventure at Robinson Nature Center in Columbia ($) (Best for ages 3+)
- 10:15 am | Shake! Shake! Shake! at East Columbia Library (Best for ages 2-5)
- Play percussive instruments like the tambourine and maracas while listening to music.
- 12:00 pm | The Wonderful World of Ita Bags at Glenwood Branch Library in Cooksville (Best for ages 11-18)
- Ita bags are a fashion favorite in the anime community. See what the hype is about and leave with some handy tips creating your very own ita bag!
- 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm | Bluey Escape Room at Deale Library
- Come and escape the winter blues with Bluey and friends. All ages are welcome to join us for this sweet escape. There will be various puzzles, activities and mind games to challenge both kids and adults.
- 4:00 pm | Crochet Club: Single Crochet at Savage Branch Library in Laurel (Best for ages 8-11)
Virginia
Arlington County
- 8:30 am | MLK Day of Service at Washington-Liberty High School
- 10:00 am | Volunteer Service Day at Potomac Overlook Regional Park
- 10:00 am | Take and Make Crafts ~ Paper Snowflakes at Columbia Pike Library
- 10:15 am | Sensory Storytime at Central Library
- 1:00 pm | The Amazing Race: Long Branch Edition! at Long Branch Nature Center ($)
- [Waitlist] 2:00 pm | Math Pals at Central Library (Best for grades 2-5)
- Join local high schoolers as they encourage kids to see that math = fun! Bring homework.
- 4:00 pm | Snowflakes Campfire at Gulf Branch Nature Center ($)
City of Alexandria
- 9:00 am | Silly Suds: Humorous Soapmaking Workshop at Del Ray Artisans ($)
- 10:00 am | Free Kids Crafts at Made in ALX
- 11:00 am | Family Friendly Wood + Canvas Workshop at AR Workshop ($)
- 11:00 am & 1:45 pm | Ice & Lights – The Winter Village at Cameron Run Regional Park ($)
- 12:00 pm | Tiny Chefs Grand Opening
- Includes cookie & cupcake decorating stations, temporary tattoo station, prize wheel & more!
- 2:00 pm | Board Game Cafe at Beatley Branch Library
More Virginia Events
- 10:00 am | Meet George Washington at Mount Vernon Estate ($)
- 10:00 am | 2025 Summer Camp Open House at Potomac Music in Lorton
- 10:00 am | “J is for Justice! An Activism Alphabet” Storytime hosted by 1st Stage in Tysons
- 10:00 am | Adapted Park Explorers at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly ($) (Best for ages 6-11)
- Explore different features of the park with hands-on science and nature activities tailored to young people with disabilities.
- 10:00 am, 1:00 pm & 3:30 pm | Winter Wonder Lab at Children’s Science Center LAB in Fairfax ($)
- 11:00 am | Animal Tea Party at Frying Pan Park in Herndon ($) (Best for ages 4-7)
- Cozy tea party on the farm! Bring your favorite stuffed animal, help us decorate for the party and read a story.
- 12:00 pm | Magic Show at Manassas Mall
Virtual
- 1:00 pm | Virtual Planetarium Show hosted by the National Air and Space Museum on Zoom
- Includes ASL interpretation
Sunday, January 19, 2025
Washington, DC
- 10:00 am | Stitching Together a Movement at Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum
- Create a community art piece imagining your hopes and dreams for where you live, work, and play.
- 1:30 pm & 4:00 pm | Grey Skies Blue at The Kennedy Center ($) (Best for ages 9+)
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- 12:00 pm | Chunky Knit Throw Blanket Making Workshop at FSC Workshop in District Heights ($) (Best for older kids – adults)
- 3:00 pm | Painting the Dream in Color: An Artistic Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King at Arts’tination National Harbor
- 6:30 pm | Movie Night Streaming Cool Runnings (1993) at Le Fantome in Riverdale
Montgomery County
- 9:30 am | Storytime with M.C. Kasper for “Three Doesn’t Have to be a Reason” at People’s Book Takoma
- 11:00 am & 2:30 pm | Intro to Woodshop: Drills & Hand Saws at KID Museum in Bethesda ($) (Best for grades 2nd – 8th)
- 11:30 am & 1:00 pm | Beale Street Puppets: Snowflakes at Glen Echo Park ($)
- 12:00 pm | MLK Cleanup at Ridge Road Recreational Park in Germantown
- 1:00 pm | MLK Cleanup at Glenmont Local Park in Wheaton
- 1:30 pm | Unity Gathering for Matin Luther King Jr.’s Celebration at Beall Elementary School in Rockville
More Maryland Events
- 9:00 am | Sensory Friendly Sunday at Port Discovery in Baltimore ($)
- 10:00 am | Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend: A Celebration of Freedom at B&O Railroad Museum ($)
- “I Have a Dream” Educational Activity for Children in the Roundhouse
- Free admission to the museum begins at 1:00 pm.
Virginia
Arlington County
- 2:00 pm | Journey of the Eels at Bon Air Park ($)
- Learn about eels in Arlington and how they have journeyed from the Sargasso Sea. Then, look for eels in Four Mile Run.
- 5:00 pm | MLK Tribute at Wakefield High School
City of Alexandria
- 11:00 am | Year of the Snake at Winkler Botanical Preserve (Best for ages 6 & under)
- Explore the sights, sounds, and textures of winter with our Naturalist on a short sensory hike. Then listen to a story about snakes and the Lunar New Year and enjoy a fun craft!
- 11:00 am & 1:45 pm | Ice & Lights – The Winter Village at Cameron Run Regional Park ($)
- [Limited Slots Left] 1:00 pm | Critters Close Up: Snakes! at Winkler Botanical Preserve ($)
More Virginia Events
- 10:00 am | Meet George Washington at Mount Vernon Estate ($)
- 10:00 am, 1:00 pm & 3:30 pm | Winter Wonder Lab at Children’s Science Center LAB in Fairfax ($)
- 11:00 am | 2025 Summer Camp Open House at Potomac Music in Lorton
- 11:00 am | Birds Around Us at Lake Fairfax Park ($) (Best for ages 4+)
- Find out about bird life cycles, migration patterns and adaptations that make these creatures fascinating.
- 12:00 pm | Little Mermaid, Wolverine, and Spiderman Host Kids and Family Festival at Shipgarten in McLean
- 12:00 pm | Dye it Up at Lake Accotink Park in Springfield ($)
- Learn to make and use natural dyes to transform your white shirts into colorful masterpieces.
- 1:00 pm | Mr. Weather Bear at Riverbend Park in Great Falls ($) (Best for ages 2-5)
- With the help of Mr. Bear, learn about the weather with a felt-board story, bubble play, an ice cube race and songs.
Monday, January 20, 2025
Washington, DC
- 10:00 am | Stitching Together a Movement at Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum
- Create a community art piece imagining your hopes and dreams for where you live, work, and play.
- 2:00 pm | The Wild Robot at The Miracle Theatre ($)
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- 10:00 am | Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at Buddy Attick Park in Greenbelt
- 10:30 am | Storytime on Screen at Greenbelt Cinema (Best for ages 1-5)
Montgomery County
- 10:00 am | Family Day at Josiah Henson Museum and Park ($)
- 10:00 am | MLK Cleanup at Northwest Branch Stream Valley in Silver Spring
- 10:00 am | Build Your Own Snow Globe at Meadowside Nature Center in Rockville ($)
- 10:00 am | MLK Cleanup at Takoma-Piney Branch Park
- 12:00 pm | MLK Cleanup at Matthew Henson Trail in Silver Spring
- 1:00 pm | Martin Luther King Jr. Day Park Clean-Up at Black Hill Discovery Center in Boyds
More Maryland Events
- 10:00 am | Port Discovery in Baltimore is open ($)
- 10:00 am | Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend: A Celebration of Freedom at B&O Railroad Museum ($)
- “I Have a Dream” Educational Activity for Children in the Roundhouse
- 11:00 am | KING DAY 2025 | An Era of Creative Maladjustment at the Reginald Lewis Museum in Baltimore
Virginia
Arlington County
- 1:30 pm | School’s Out! Martin Luther Kings Favorite Foods! at Cookology ($)
City of Alexandria
- 11:00 am & 1:45 pm | Ice & Lights – The Winter Village at Cameron Run Regional Park ($)
More Virginia Events
- 12:00 pm | Inauguration Day – Kids and Family Festival at Shipgarten in McLean
This Week's Book Recommendation

New on the Blog
2025 Summer Camps
Check out the first iteration of the 4DMV Kids 2025 Summer Camps Guide through the link below. I have featured camps in DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia for all ages. I've also added upcoming summer camp fairs and a listing of other summer camp resources for your convenience. Bookmark it and stay tuned!
New
MLK Weekend
See the updated list of kid-friendly activities in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through the link below. This listing also includes activities for other upcoming cultural celebrations like Lunar New Year, Black History Month and President's Day.
Updated